Machine Learning & Data Science · head to head
MATLAB vs BigQuery ML
MATLAB
Machine Learning & Data Science
Programming and numeric computing platform
- From
- $99/month
- Rated
- -
BigQuery ML
Machine Learning & Data Science
Machine learning in BigQuery using SQL
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only BigQuery ML has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: MATLAB a standard individual licence is $940 a year, and it is annual rather than perpetual; BigQuery ML not available in BigQuery's Standard edition, so the cheapest tier cannot use it
- They diverge on capability: MATLAB covers Matrix computations, BigQuery ML covers SQL-based ML.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which MATLAB and BigQuery ML actually diverge.
| Attribute | MATLAB | BigQuery ML |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $99/month | Free |
| Pricing model | subscription | usage-based |
| Free tier | No | Yes |
| Platforms | Linux, Mac, Windows | Web |
| Founded | 1984 | 2008 |
Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Machine Learning & Data Science).
What each one covers
Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.
Only in MATLAB
- Matrix computations
- Data visualization
- Machine learning
- Deep learning
- Signal processing
- Simulink
- Python
- C/C++
Only in BigQuery ML
- SQL-based ML
- AutoML Tables
- Model export
- Prediction functions
- Feature preprocessing
- BigQuery
- Vertex AI
- TensorFlow
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
MATLAB
- Numerical computing, simulation and algorithm developmentnot BigQuery ML
- Engineering and scientific modelling with Simulinknot BigQuery ML
BigQuery ML
- Training models in SQL without exporting datanot MATLAB
- Linear and logistic regression on warehouse datanot MATLAB
- K-means clustering and matrix factorisation for recommendationsnot MATLAB
- Time series forecasting with ARIMA_PLUSnot MATLAB
- Running imported ONNX, TensorFlow or XGBoost models against BigQuery datanot MATLAB
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
MATLAB
- A standard individual licence is $940 a year, and it is annual rather than perpetual
- Add on toolboxes are bought separately through the web store rather than being included
- No price is displayed for the academic, student, home or startup licences, each of which requires a quote
- Eligibility rather than price separates most tiers, so a commercial user has one option
BigQuery ML
- Not available in BigQuery's Standard edition, so the cheapest tier cannot use it
- Billed through BigQuery compute and storage rather than as its own product, so training cost tracks data scanned
- Remote models incur extra Agent Platform charges on top
- Externally trained model types such as boosted trees and AutoML run through Agent Platform rather than inside BigQuery
Pricing, plan by plan
MATLAB
$99/month- Home$149/perpetual
- Personal use
- Core MATLAB
- Standard$2350/perpetual
- Commercial use
- Full features
BigQuery ML
Free- Free TierFree
- 10GB storage
- 1TB queries
- On-Demand$5/TB
- Pay per TB scanned
- ML training costs
Which should you pick?
Choose MATLAB if
- You need matrix computations.
- You work on Linux, Mac, Windows.
- You also want data visualization.
Choose BigQuery ML if
- You need sql-based ml.
- You want to start without paying.
- You also want automl tables.
Questions people ask
- Is MATLAB or BigQuery ML better?
- Neither clearly leads. MATLAB starts at $99/month and BigQuery ML at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, MATLAB or BigQuery ML?
- BigQuery ML has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $99/month for MATLAB and Free for BigQuery ML.
- Does MATLAB or BigQuery ML run on more platforms?
- MATLAB runs on Linux, Mac, Windows. BigQuery ML runs on Web.
- Can I use BigQuery ML for free?
- Yes. BigQuery ML has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. MATLAB starts at $99/month.
- What is MATLAB best used for?
- MATLAB is most often used for numerical computing, simulation and algorithm development, engineering and scientific modelling with simulink. Of those, numerical computing, simulation and algorithm development and engineering and scientific modelling with simulink are not what BigQuery ML is typically brought in for.
- What can MATLAB do that BigQuery ML cannot?
- MATLAB covers Matrix computations, Data visualization, Machine learning, Deep learning. BigQuery ML covers SQL-based ML, AutoML Tables, Model export, Prediction functions.